Welcome to our latest blog post about the Labrador dog portrait in oils – Alfie in Autumn. Lisa commissioned this oil painting of the much-loved Labrador Alfie as a gift for her mum’s 60th birthday.
Alfie sadly passed away a few years ago, but through this portrait, his memory lives on. He was described by Lisa as a cheeky, playful character who absolutely loved his walks in the woods. With that in mind, we chose a photo of Alfie in a place he loved and the woodland background to fitted within the portrait beautifully.
“He really has captured Alfie’s personality and character so well… it was always his favourite place to be, so that background choice seemed very fitting.”
Nicholas painted Alfie at 14 x 14 inches in oils. Alfie’s portrait now stands as a beautiful tribute to a much missed companion and a lovely surprise birthday gift almost for all of the family to enjoy, not just Lisa’s mum.
“We presented my mum her portrait of Alfie the other day and she absolutely adores it! She thought it was so brilliant and captured Alfie perfectly!”
We’re so grateful to Lisa for entrusting us with such a special memory.
About Alfie – A White Labrador
Alfie was a Labrador Retriever, but noticeably lighter in coat colour than many others we have painted. Labradors come in three standard colours – black, yellow and chocolate. The yellow variety can range from rich golden tones to pale cream or even near white, like Alfie. These lighter coats are completely normal and especially striking in oil portraits as you can see here.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Labrador Retriever and a Golden Retriever? While both are affectionate family friendly dogs, they are different breeds. Labradors have shorter, denser coats and broader heads, while Golden Retrievers have longer feathered coats and a slightly softer expression. Labradors tend to come in yellow, chocolate, and black. Goldens are generally various shades of gold or cream.
If you have enjoyed reading our Labrador Dog Portrait in Oils – Alfie in Autumn, take a look at our recent Harlan Crow Paintings blog post. You’ll spot Gus another Labrador, featured in a beautiful full background setting. We have drawn and painted quite a few Labs over the years so please feel free to use the search option to find some more if you are interested.
How to Commission a Labrador Portrait – 5 Simple Steps
- Send us photos – Choose clear, high-resolution images that show your Labrador’s face and personality.
- Choose a size and medium – Oil paintings are perfect for full colour, pencils for black and white.
- Decide on a background – From natural landscapes like woods or beaches, to plain studio-style backdrops.
- Personalise it – Add their name on the collar or frame, or include meaningful items like toys or favourite settings.
- Get in touch early – We have a commissions list, so planning ahead (especially for birthdays) is always a good idea.
Visit our Commission Information Page to get started, or feel free to send us a message. We would love to hear from you!
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